Wow – when we asked you to tell us which of Devon’s towns and villages you think are the prettiest we didn’t expect such a huge and enthusiastic response! We were pointed towards chocolate-box cottages, breathtaking views, pretty churches and wonderful waterside locations …
Devon dwellers and visitors alike have helped to shape this showstopping list: Devon towns and villages that you absolutely must visit – and follow the links to find many, many more.
Dartmouth With enchanting streets and a fantastic scenic river location, Dartmouth overlooks one of the finest natural harbours in the UK and has a strong maritime heritage.
Lustleigh This picture postcard village is in a steep green valley with the Teign running along it, and has a wonderful 13th-16th century church, and excellent traditional cob and thatch pub, local shop and tea room.
Salcombe If you love messing about on the water, you’ll love Salcombe. It’s a charming, vibrant little town that still manages to retain that unique Devon charm.
Appledore Characterised by winding narrow streets and colourful houses, the charming village of Appledore sits at the confluence of the Taw and Torridge rivers with views across to Instow.
Noss Mayo The tiny, pretty little village of Noss Mayo is hidden away on the southern bank of the Yealm estuary. Across the water is the larger village of Newton Ferrers, and you can get between the two villages by a ferry.
Ottery St Mary With its glorious church and cluster of picturesque buildings, Ottery St. Mary is famous for the rather terrifying spectacle of its Tar Barrel Rolling! The town has given literary inspiration to Coleridge, Thackeray, and JK Rowling – a generation of Harry Potter readers know it as as Ottery St. Catchpole.
Chagford A delightful, unspoilt town on the slopes above the River Teign, where fishing, walking and other outdoor pursuits are popular. The square is dominated by a pepper pot market house, and you’ll find some interesting shops, too.
Clovelly Famous the world over, Clovelly has fabulous views across Bideford Bay. The picturesque historic houses wind down the steep cobbled street to the traditional fishing harbour, but no vehicles are allowed; goods are transported by sledge, often pulled by donkeys.
Kingsbridge Sitting on its own estuary, Kingsbridge is a market town with a friendly atmosphere in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Cockington Take a walk back in time along Cockington’s narrow lanes, lined with thatched houses and you’ll experience a quiet charm that is quintessentially English. There’s a water mill and forge, and the cricket pitch was once a medieval deer park.
Lynmouth Along with its sister town Lynton, Lynmouths sit on the sea at the foot of dramatic cliffs. Known as ‘Little Switzerland’, the area is a walker’s paradise, and there’s an exhilarating water-powered cliff railway connecting the two towns.
Modbury With a great sense of community, Modbury is a picturesque yet lively town that takes the idea of preserving its unique environment seriously.
Moretonhampstead A busy, pretty, small Dartmoor town, Moretonhampstead is a hive of activity through out the summer months, and popular with walkers, cyclists, antique hunters and cream tea and art enthusiasts.
Widecome in the Moor In a gorgeous setting with tea rooms, hotels, shops and pubs, this village often has wild ponies, sheep and cattle meandering on the village green. The scenery surrounding the village is also stunning
Ashburton A lively town nestled on the southern side of Dartmoor, and home to many antique shops, galleries, book shops and a variety of eateries.
Instow With nice pubs and restaurants, a sandy beach, dunes to explore and views across the water to the picturesque village of Appledore, Instow is a great place to sit and watch the world go by.
Sticklepath This lovely little village is home to the National Trust’s Finch Foundry, and a
wonderful place to start and finish a walk through beautiful Skaigh Woods. Two pubs, two tea rooms and a shop help to keep Sticklepath a thriving and lively village.
Topsham The quaint historic estuary port of Topsham has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an eclectic cluster of specialist shops and fine restaurants, plus wonderful views above the estuary.
Croyde The pretty village of Croyde is one of North Devon’s most renowned seaside locations, due to its excellent surf, beautiful scenery and vibrant village feel.
Dunsford At the topmost reaches of the Teign valley in glorious countryside, with the famed Daffodil woods and Steps Bridge nearby, Dunsford has old cob and thatch as well as moorstone cottages.